From Psalm 62:1-2, "My soul finds rest in God alone my salvation comes from him. He alone is my Rock and my salvation. He is my fortress I will never be shaken." I put this as the central theme of my blog to remind myself that the Lord is my Rock and my fortress, my only true place of Rest.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Continuing with my Thousand Gifts

I started writing the blessings I see each day, the gifts the Lord allows me to see, down in my journal this time and so this first list after a hiatus might be longer than most. I'm excited to get back to seeing the joy in each day/moment. Thank you, Lord for all the gifts you have given and continue to bestow. Those I see and those I miss. Please help the eyes of my heart to see more and to experience more of you!

136. sunshine on snow

137. birds at the feeder-- making marks in the nearby snow, fluttering about excitedly

138. electric staying on through the storm! Praise the Lord!!!

139. a little girl easily entertained by a bag of "new to her" shoes :) Who knew a two year old could find joy so easily? :)

140. a warm home-- respite

141. imperfectly made new curtains from fabric remnants 18" square

142. the chance to make those curtains and learn in the process

143. reading and laughing over Three Little Pigs with my girl

144. New books deliverd by the postman at the door??!! through the snow

145. small steps in gaining more self-control as part of the fruit of the Spirit (less angry outbursts, less times of emotional eating) praise to you, Lord!

146. clothes to fold and put away (means my family is well provided for)

147. carpet to sweep means carpet to bring warmth to our home

148. butterscotch oatmeal goodies

149. a polite "more pwease," Who can resist giving her one more cookie bite :)

150. that my two year old girls is still willing to take her afternoon nap! Praise the Lord!!

151. quietness during naptime

152. joy in the quiet

153. hope

154. remembering that hope does not disappoint...

155. gentle morning kisses from my love on his way to the day

156. estranged uncle-neighbor coming to rescue and teach in a gentle way-- seeing him walk down the snowy road to our drive brough such sadness and joy at the same time. Sad for the loss, many years ago now, of the relationship; joy in the provision for this day in helping us get a car out of the snow/mud! We could not have gotten the car out without his help. So thankful God brought him and he was able to come.

157. eggs sizzling in the skillet- sound and smell wafting in

158. oatmeal falling out of canister to bowl in preperation

159. white snow lying with hope that all things will be new someday

160. furnance kicking on to keep the house warm; glad we have not run out of propane

161. hope flickering ever so softly that all might be as it should be some day.

162. bare tree branches and light reflecting through curved glass

163. the hum of the refrigerator

164. the quiet snores of a small one sleeping

165. the feel of the recently vacuumed carpet on my check

166. the breathing in and out and knowing I am learning and I can grow to be the woman the Lord plans for me to be- this slowing thing is new for me; I am grateful and hopeful; and humbled

167. friends to share a meal and converstaion with; especially grateful for several reasons... Friendship has been hard to find in recent years and this week has been especially long when stuck indoor due to snow!! :D

About Me

This favorite quote of mine by E. Elliot sums up a lot for me... "When we cry, 'Why Lord?' we should ask instead, 'Why not, Lord? Shall I not follow my Master in suffering as in everything else?'"
Knowing that life is full of difficulty, I still choose to believe in him who called me to himself... loved me and gave himself for ME. I am a passionate follower of Jesus Christ-- I truly know that he IS my everything.
I'm also a really blessed woman with a wonderful husband and sweet little daughter (our first child of... how many, we are not sure yet!)
Overall, I am a woman who is blessed to love the Lord more than my own life and I know that he will use my life for my good and his glory. There is a lot of beauty to be found in life amidst suffering and my response to the challenges I face is more important than the challenges themselves. I desire for him to be glorified in all that I say and do. I cling to him with all that I am.